Huawei Mate 50E vs. vivo iQOO 9 SE: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and gaming capabilities, the vivo iQOO 9 SE is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 888 5G chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Mate 50E’s Snapdragon 778G. However, the Mate 50E remains a viable option for those seeking a balanced experience with a focus on efficiency.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei Mate 50E | vivo iQOO 9 SE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2022, February 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 23 | Available. Released 2022, March 02 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.36 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 163.2 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| - | Splash and dust resistant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1224 x 2700 pixels (~442 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 660 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 3.0 | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired 5W reverse wired | 66W wired, 50% in 14 min, 100% in 39 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4460 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Purple | Space Fusion, Sunset Sierra |
| Models | CET-AL60 | - |
| Price | About 580 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.1 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 727771 (v8), 846231 (v9) GeekBench: 3442 (v5.1) GFXBench: 64fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Mate 50E
- Potentially better power efficiency due to 6nm process
- Clean and streamlined software experience (typical of Huawei)
- Reliable daily performance for everyday tasks
- Significantly less powerful chipset compared to the iQOO 9 SE
- Limited gaming performance
- Missing display brightness data
vivo iQOO 9 SE
- Superior processing power with Snapdragon 888
- Faster charging speeds (confirmed 0-100% time)
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Snapdragon 888 can run warmer under sustained load
- Image processing may be overly aggressive for some users
- Software experience may be more feature-rich but less streamlined
Display Comparison
The iQOO 9 SE boasts a measured peak brightness of 863 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Mate 50E, for which brightness data is unavailable. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels (based on brand trends), the iQOO 9 SE’s infinite contrast ratio indicates a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The absence of refresh rate information for the Mate 50E suggests it may be limited to 60Hz, while the iQOO 9 SE is likely to offer a smoother 120Hz experience, enhancing scrolling and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. However, the iQOO 9 SE, positioned as a gaming phone, often prioritizes overall performance, which can extend to image processing. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. The Mate 50E’s camera system likely focuses on balanced image quality, while the iQOO 9 SE may lean towards more vibrant, processed images geared towards social media sharing. The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) makes it impossible to assess low-light performance differences.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO 9 SE’s Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) is a significant step up from the Mate 50E’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). The 888 features the more powerful Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz versus the A78 in the 778G at 2.4 GHz. This translates to faster processing speeds and improved graphics performance. While the 6nm process of the 778G offers better efficiency, the 5nm node of the 888, coupled with potentially more aggressive thermal management in the iQOO 9 SE, allows for sustained performance. The iQOO 9 SE will excel in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 87 hours, indicating comparable real-world battery life. However, the iQOO 9 SE’s charging speed is more precisely defined: 50% in 14 minutes and 100% in 39 minutes with its 66W wired charging. The Mate 50E also supports 66W wired charging, but lacks the specific timing data. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the more powerful chipset in the iQOO 9 SE, efficient power management keeps battery life competitive. The 5W reverse wired charging on both devices is a convenient, albeit slow, feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Mate 50E if you need a reliable daily driver with good battery life and a clean software experience, and aren't heavily reliant on demanding mobile games. Buy the vivo iQOO 9 SE if you prioritize gaming performance, faster app loading times, and are willing to potentially manage slightly warmer temperatures during extended use. The iQOO 9 SE is the better choice for power users.